County Expected To Move Into Phase Two Of Reopening On May 18

ROCKVILLE, MD — Montgomery County is poised to enter its second phase of reopening on Tuesday, after reaching another self-set vaccination benchmark.

The move, which is expected to be approved by the County Council, is triggered once 60 percent of residents have gotten at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The county reached that milestone on Monday.

We expected to reach this tomorrow, but hey - we have a county full of overachievers! https://t.co/JEOUTtUgpS
— Tom Hucker (@tomhucker) May 17, 2021

Under phase two:

• indoor gathering limits increase to 250 people;
• outdoor gathering limits are lifted;
• most businesses — including restaurants and religious facilities — expand to 75 percent capacity; and
• smoking is allowed at cigar and hookah bars

Last month, the county adopted a three-phase reopening plan based on the percentage of residents that have been vaccinated.

Montgomery County has typically reopened at a slower rate than the rest of the state. But once phase three kicks in, the county will get rid of all local restrictions and follow the state's COVID-19 guidance.

That's expected to happen on May 28. To get there, 50 percent of residents have to be fully vaccinated.

Last week, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan lifted all restrictions on restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues. He also got rid of the state's indoor mask mandate following new guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which said fully vaccinated people no longer needed masks indoors or in large group settings. Masks, however, are still required on public transportation and in healthcare facilities.